Hunters Point Naval Shipyard – California

Hunters Point Naval Shipyard was located in San Francisco Bay in central California. The facility, which was established in 1868, was originally a commercial shipyard. In 1941, just eleven days before the Pearl Harbor bombing, the U.S. Navy acquired the shipyard to accommodate its growing demand for World War II warships. The Navy retained the Hunters Point Naval Shipyard until 1974 when the facility was sold to Triple-A Machine Shop, Inc.

Hunters Point Naval Shipyard’s Facility

Hunters Point Naval Shipyard was located on 638 acres in San Francisco, California. Hunters Point Naval Shipyard’s docks were made of solid rock and were over 1,000 feet long. Many people believed that these docks were the longest in the world. Additionally, Hunters Point Naval Shipyard housed the Pacific Reserve Fleet Units (for naval training exercises) and the Navy Radiation Defense Laboratory.

Hunters Point Naval Shipyard’s Functions

During World War II, the Navy predominately used the Hunters Point Naval Shipyard to build Liberty Ships (large cargo boats). Hunters Point Naval Shipyard employed 8,500 workers to build and repair commercial and naval ships. The Navy also used Hunters Point Naval Shipyard as a docking location and base housing. Additionally, the Navy performed training exercises and radiological defense research at the shipyard. Following World War II, the Navy established the Navy Radiation Defense Laboratory at Hunters Point Naval Shipyard to decontaminate ships involved in nuclear testing. Additionally, the facility was sued to study the effects of nuclear weapons and develop counter measures to nuclear attacks.

In 1974, the Navy sold Hunters Point Naval Shipyard to Triple-A Machine Shop, a commercial ship repair company. Triple-A allegedly dumped toxic waste into the San Francisco Bay and many local residents and special interest environmental groups have filed lawsuits against Triple-A.

Asbestos at Hunters Point Naval Shipyard

Shipyard workers at Hunters Point Naval Shipyard, like all shipyard workers, faced an increased risk of asbestos exposure. Asbestos is a toxic fibrous mineral that was widely used in ship insulation, siding, and other products. When asbestos fibers are inhaled, they can cause severe and fatal disease such as: